Clothespin



1940- v c. E. NOLL 2.210214 CLOTHEISPIN Filed April 19, 1959 A iforneys Inventor I Patented Aug. 6, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in clothespins and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an article of this character em- 6 bodying novel means for firmly securing the clothes without the necessity of engaging said clothes over the line, as at present.

Another very'important object of the invention is to provide a clothespin of the aforemen- 10 tioned character comprising clamping means wherein the grip on the clothes will be increased as the pull increases.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a clothespin of the character described which 15 will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly efficient and reliable-in use, compact, light in weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects 10 and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the 86 several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a clothespin constructed in accordance with the present invention, a portion thereof being broken away in section.

80 Figure 2 is a view in front elevation of the device.

Figure 3 is a detail view in front elevation of the lower portion of the slidable clamp.

Figure 4 is a viewpartially in side elevation 35 and partially in vertical section of the lower portion of the device, showing the clamp in retracted or inoperative position.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention 4 which has been illustrated comprises an elongated body I of suitable material, preferably wood. At its upper end, the body I terminates in an integral head 2. Extending into the body I from the lower end thereof is a slot or kerf 3 45 providing legs 4 and 5, the latter being comparatively thick.

Extending at an inclination through the comparatively thick leg 5 of the clothespin is a bore 6 which communicates, at its lower end, with 50 the slot or kerf 3. The lower end portion of the bore 6 is enlarged, as at 1, for a purpose which will be presently set forth. Mounted for sliding movement in the bore 6 is a clamp of suitable material, preferably wood, which is designated generally by the reference numeral 8.

The clamp 8 includes a shank 9 which is slidable in the bore 6. On the upper end of the 5 shank 9 is a handle l0. Mounted on the lower end of the shank 9 is a' toothed jaw ll.

It is thought that the manner in which the clothespin functions will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. The body 10 I is mounted on the clothesline (not shown) by inserting said line in the slot or kerf 3. The clamp 8 is raised to inoperative position, as seen in Fig. 4 of the drawing, to permit the insertion of the clothes in the slot 3. When in this position, the enlargement 1 receives the jaw l I, thus clearing the slot 3 for the reception of the clothes. The clamp 8 is then lowered and the jaw H coacts with the leg 4 for firmly clamping the clothes therebetween. The construction and arrangement is such that the greater the pull of the clothes the more firmly they are secured by the clamp 8. Thus, detachment of the clothes especially during windy weather is prevented. To release the clothes it is only necessary to lift the clamp 8 through the medium of the handle Hi.

It is believed that the many advantages of a clothespin constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood and although a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated and described,.it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

A clothespin of the character described including a body comprising spaced legs providing a slot for the reception of clothes, one of saidlegs having an inclined bore extending therethrough 40 clamp is in retracted position,

. CHARLES EDWIN NOLL. 

